HC notice to Delhi agencies over boy’s death

July 16, 2014 09:07 am | Updated 09:07 am IST - NEW DELHI:

The parents of a seven-year-old boy, who drowned in an open manhole in Kondli area of East Delhi earlier this year, have moved the Delhi High Court seeking compensation of Rs.20 lakh. The petitioners have alleged that negligence by authorities had led to the mishap.

Justice Manmohan on Tuesday issued notices on the writ petition which has named the East Delhi Municipal Corporation, Public Works Department, Delhi Home Secretary and Delhi Police as respondents in the case. The Court sought response from all of them while posting the matter for hearing on November 5.

Mohammed Aslam Khan and Talat Jahan, parents of Sadaf, stated in their petition that their son was rushed to Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital after he fell in the open manhole while playing with another boy in Harijan Basti on January 31 this year. He was declared “brought dead” at the hospital and his post-mortem report revealed asphyxia as the cause of death.

“The manhole, which was old and in a dilapidated condition, was open for a long time. No action was taken to cover it and no safety measures were taken despite the fact that it was [situated] in a residential area,” stated the petition.

Mr. Khan and Ms. Jahan alleged that Sadaf had died as a result of negligence by the authorities. The police were also liable under the Delhi Police Act, 1978, they said, while pointing out that though the matter was reported immediately at the Ghazipur police station, no action was taken.

After a lot of endeavour, the area Sub-Divisional Magistrate gave a financial assistance of Rs.1 lakh to the boy’s parents, but it was described as insufficient by the petitioners.

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